ShawneeDispatch.com

Photo by Kevin Anderson

Crowds enjoy a temperate evening Saturday at the Old Shawnee Days carnival.

At this year’s Old Shawnee Days, concert-goers will be taken “Where the Streets Have No Name,” and later on, they can take it easy on a “Slow Ride.”

With the recent confirmation of local U2 cover band Rattle & Hum for Thursday night’s concert, the entertainment line up for Old Shawnee Days, a little less than a month away, is complete. The family-friendly festival will run this year from Thursday, June 5, to Sunday, June 8, and Shawnee is gearing up for the 90,000 visitors who came to the city’s biggest annual event last year.

Events begin at 6 p.m. Thursday with “wristband night” at the carnival — all-you-can-ride for a $20 wristband, $10 for children 6 and younger — and the first concert, Rattle & Hum.

The Friday fun also begins at 6 p.m., and festivities begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and run from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The Rhinestone Roper Show is back for an encore of last year’s performances in the special events area, with a 6 p.m. show Friday and three shows each day Saturday and Sunday. The show features the Mink Family of Jerome, Idaho, with their trick roping, bullwhip cracking, knife throwing, gun spinning and quick draw shooting. The show also includes tricks by Lucky Joe the Trick Horse.

As always, the Old Shawnee Days Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, starting at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Nieman Road, heading north on Nieman to Johnson Drive, then west to Shawnee Town. This year’s theme is “Spotlight on Shawnee.”

Parade Awards, including Most Spirit, Most Creative, Best Kids Entry, Most Unique Vehicle, and Best Vehicle Group, will be handed out at noon at the Band Stand in Shawnee Town.

This year before the parade, the Friends of Shawnee Town will have the first annual “Tomato Roll” at 9:30 a.m. Red rubber “tomatoes” can be purchased and then entered in a race. The tomatoes will be dropped from a bucket loader to roll and bounce through an obstacle course set up at the corner of Nieman and Johnson Drive. Proceeds will benefit Shawnee Town Museum.

There will be first, second and third place prizes for the “tomatoes” that cross the finish line first. There will also be a “rotten tomato” gag gift for the last place finish.

During the festival, there again be historical re-enactors along with information concerning the changes taking place at Shawnee Town; games and contests like the turtle and frog races or pie-eating contest for children; craft and concession booths throughout Shawnee Town; entertainment on the band stand, and more.

For more information, visit www.oldshawneedays.org.

Old Shawnee Days 2008 main stage concerts

Thursday, June 5

7 p.m. Rattle & Hum – The Premier U2 Tribute!

Friday, June 6

7:30 p.m. Drew6

9 p.m. The Marshall Tucker Band

Saturday, June 7

7:30 p.m. Change of Heart – A Tribute to the Music of Heart

9 p.m. Foghat

Sunday, June 8

3 p.m. He Wears Black – Celebrating the Music of Johnny Cash

Post a comment

ShawneeDispatch.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

Requires free ShawneeDispatch.com registration.